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cnbc.com
U.S. economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July
Nonfarm payrolls were projected to increase by 83,000 in July while the unemployment rate would hold steady at 4.2%, according to the Dow Jones consensus.
cnbc.com
Shares of this digital medical platform jumped more than 100% overnight. Here’s why
The company is seeing huge profitability potential and a larger addressable market as a result of AI search.
cnbc.com
Oil prices rise as as market waits on deal to open Strait of Hormuz
News of Iran's restrictive draft plan for the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices higher, renewing concerns over supply disruptions.
cnbc.com
Trump revives effort to fire Fed's Lisa Cook
Trump aide Dan Scavino told Cook there is "sufficient reason to believe that you made false statements on one or more mortgage agreements."
cnbc.com
Burger King overtakes Wendy's as the nation's second-largest burger chain
Burger King is once again the second-largest burger chain in the U.S. by system-wide sales.
cnbc.com
Here are three key takeaways from the disappointing July jobs report
Nonfarm payrolls in the U.S. unexpectedly declined in July, but so did the unemployment rate, leaving investors with mixed signals.
cnbc.com
Trump teased an Iran deal that didn't come, but markets soared. Here’s why it keeps happening
As oil reserves and munitions stockpiles reportedly dwindle, analysts wonder how much longer markets will pounce when the Trump admin. dangles an Iran deal.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields drop after surprise jobs loss in July
The U.S. unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, raising fresh concerns about the labor market while dimming the immediate outlook for higher Fed interest rates.
bbc.co.uk
Jeweller 'priced out' of Christmas market stall this year
Alex says a change in operator and rise in costs means this is the first winter she will not be renting a stall.
cnbc.com
Rockstar Energy founder builds Celsius stake, wants to take over as CEO
Rockstar Energy founder Russ Savage told CNBC he now controls 12 million shares of Celsius Holdings, amounting to roughly 4.7% of the energy drink company.
cnbc.com
Cassidy supports Todd Blanche, rescuing Trump's embattled attorney general pick
Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche needs at least 50 votes on the Senate floor to be confirmed after clearing the Senate Judiciary Committee.
cnbc.com
Crypto’s infrastructure era arrives, with AI agents poised to reshape demand
Crypto companies are trying to build a second growth engine by turning agents into the next wave of users.
cnbc.com
Chesky says Airbnb will spend ‘a lot more’ on AI as earnings beat and stock surges 15%
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky wasn’t sure AI would help the company, but a year later, he says it’s the reason growth is back.
cnbc.com
Gulf uncertainty is creating ‘win, win’ strategy with Chevron and other oil majors
With options premiums still elevated due to the military conflict in the Gulf, selling puts on an energy major posting record free cash flow offers a rare opportunity.
cnbc.com
Meta ordered to pay $567 million into abatement fund as remedy to child harms case in New Mexico
A judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $567 million into an abatement fund after a jury ruled the company violated the state’s unfair practices act.
bbc.co.uk
How a 90-second power outage sparked chaos for rail commuters
The incident raised questions about how a disrupted power supply can have such a widespread impact.
cnbc.com
Top Democrat proposes killing tax breaks for overseas oil production
Gas prices in the U.S. averaged $4.06 per gallon on Thursday — a major source of voter discontent heading into November's midterm elections.
bbc.co.uk
Goodwin considers selling part of defence business
The firm is a key supplier of components to UK and US frigate and submarine programmes.
theguardian.com
US economy lost 23,000 jobs in July in surprise blow to Trump – as it happened
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as US job report dramatically misses expectationsNewsflash: Global food commodity prics have hit a three-year high, as the Ukraine war, conflict in the Middle East and extremely hot weather push up crop prices.The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Price Index, which tracks key food prices, has just risen to its highest since January 2023.International sorghum prices edged higher in line with the increases in maize prices in the United States of America. By contrast, barley prices fell by 1.9 percent, as favourable crop prospects in Australia and the Black Sea region more than offset heat-related yield losses in the European Union.On the other hand, the FAO All Rice Price Index held broadly steady in July 2026, as a mild increase in Indica quotations was offset by demand-driven price declines for all other major traded rice varieties.“More broadly, average house prices have remained relatively stable for almost two years, moving within a narrow range over that period and sitting just +0.5% higher than they were in November 2024.That trend has persisted even as buyers and sellers have faced a more uncertain economic backdrop this year. “Affordability remains a challenge for many would -be buyers and, following recent events in the Middle East, mortgage rates have edged higher again after easing earlier in the summer".” Continue reading...
cnbc.com
A 'weaponized' yen: How the U.S.-Japan intervention may reshape global currency markets
The unprecedented U.S.-Japan intervention to support the yen may end up shaping market behavior.
bbc.co.uk
Surprise fall in US jobs last month as slow summer continues
Analysts had expected an uptick in the number of jobs created, but the number of roles fell by 23,000 in July.
cnbc.com
Solar stocks shine after Trump extends China tariffs to polysilicon products
Solar stocks rose in premarket trading President Donald Trump announced fresh import restrictions on polysilicon products.
bbc.co.uk
Trump administration to pay German firm $1.2bn to halt US wind projects
The RWE payout is the latest in a string of deals cancelling wind energy projects, a power source long derided by Trump.
bbc.co.uk
Mums hope school uniform swap will help families
Items were donated to the pair for a swap event held in Tavistock Library.
theguardian.com
US unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July as slump in growth continues
Estimates for previous two months were revised down sharply but unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%Business live – latest updatesUS employers unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July and gains for the previous two months were revised down sharply by a combined 103,000 jobs, painting a weaker picture of the labor market than past data indicated.The unemployment rate, however, held steady at 4.1%. Economists had projected an unchanged unemployment rate and 83,000 new jobs for the month. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Private equity is circling budget airlines after Apollo's EasyJet deal — and this carrier could be next
Private equity investors could target more undervalued airlines following Apollo's swoop for EasyJet.
cnbc.com
Volkswagen controlling families call for faster overhaul to fend off Chinese rivals
Volkswagen's top investor on Friday called on the auto giant to take immediate action to fend off intensifying competition from Chinese car brands.
theguardian.com
Global food prices at three-year high as heatwaves and wars push up crop costs
UN index says weather is affecting wheat yields while conflicts in Ukraine and Iran hit exports and drive up pricesBusiness live – latest updatesGlobal food prices have hit their highest level in three and a half years, as summer heatwaves and conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East push up crop costs.The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) index of food commodity prices rose last month to its highest level since January 2023, after a jump in prices for cereals, sugar and vegetable oil. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China is gaining ground in AI. But the U.S. still has a major advantage
Chinese AI companies have made recent leaps in closing the performance gap with U.S. frontier labs.
cnbc.com
Wildfire costs are surging — but much of the damage in Europe isn’t insured
Insurers warn that Europe is facing a "protection gap" in wildfire cover as disaster recovery costs outpace insurance coverage.
theguardian.com
Boeing 737 Max operators told to check fuselages for cracks
Inspections ordered by US regulator will affect about 470 aircraft, after reported problems in earlier modelsBusiness live – latest updatesThe US aviation regulator has ordered inspections of the fuselages of Boeing 737 Max planes for possible cracks in a component.The Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive will affect an estimated 471 aircraft and follows reports of cracks in earlier Boeing models. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Rail passengers face second day of disruption across north-west England
Problems after power failure at regional signalling centre likely to continue until noon on Friday Business live – latest updatesRail passengers are facing a second day of travel disruption across parts of north-west England, after a power cut hit the signalling centre controlling the region.The power failure, which occurred shortly before 2pm on Thursday, temporarily halted trains and caused widespread cancellations and delays to services including CrossCountry and London Northwestern Railway. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘This is very real redlining’: outrage in Little Rock as two datacenters loom
Critics decry proposed hyperscale projects, fearing overuse of water and electricity, and ‘appropriating rural, Black-owned land for industrial purposes’There seems to be a fight over datacenters in nearly every city in the US right now. And amid the extreme polarization of today’s politics, the opposition tends to be bipartisan.“I would say it’s kind of the far left and the far right ran into each other and had a hug,” said Frank Scott Jr, mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas. “But they come at it from different perspectives.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK house prices flat in July, says Lloyds, as buyers struggle with affordability
Property prices in ‘suspended animation’ owing to higher mortgage rates and uncertainty in Middle EastBusiness live – latest updatesUK house prices were broadly stagnant in July as prospective buyers were squeezed by higher mortgage rates, uncertainty around the Middle East and stretched affordability, according to the lender Lloyds.The average property cost £299,253 in July, down by £143 compared with June, the bank’s monthly index found. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant
The ruling is in addition to $375m in fines Meta was already ordered to pay in the case, for a total of $942m.
cnbc.com
Yen rally fades a week after U.S.-Japan intervention as focus shifts to policy
The coordinated involvement from the Treasury and BoJ had initially lifted the yen as low as 155 to the dollar, down from just above 163 beforehand.
cnbc.com
SK Hynix to invest $38 billion building new memory chip plants as demand soars
Memory prices have surged because of short supply and huge demand with investors watching closely for any changes to the supply-demand imbalance.
theguardian.com
Could England and Wales ever run out of water?
Last month in England was the driest July since records began almost two centuries ago. How concerned should we be?Half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought. But what does this mean and could taps eventually run dry?• The headline of this article was amended on 7 August 2026 to refer to England and Wales, rather than the UK. Also, the average usage of 139 litres of water a day is for people in England and Wales, not in the UK as stated in an earlier version; and the 47bn kilolitres of water extracted from the environment in 2023 was in England only. Groundwater was added to the list of main sources of water. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
What do people want from Argos?
As Sainsbury agrees to sell Argos for £120m, we ask people if they still shop there, and what the new owners can do to compete with big online retailers like Amazon.
theguardian.com
Burnham urged to tackle cost of living crisis by pressuring Trump to end Iran war
Trade unions say UK prime minister must begin by revoking permission for US to use RAF bases for airstrikes in GulfTrade unions have called on Andy Burnham to tackle the cost of living crisis at its source by pressuring Donald Trump to bring the conflict in the Middle East swiftly to an end.Leaders from 10 unions, including Unison, the UK’s largest, urged the prime minister to oppose further fighting in the Gulf to help bring down energy and fuel costs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why are ultra-processed food firms panicking and suing? Because they know time is running out | Felicity Lawrence
As the harm caused by their products becomes more evident, manufacturers are resorting to denial and lawsuits to keep regulation at bayIt is rare for people to drop dead holding the incriminating packaging, but there is no longer any serious doubt that consuming a diet of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) risks a catalogue of life-shortening illnesses from heart disease and stroke to diabetes and cancer. Because these diseases are degenerative over time, the food and drink industry has been able to argue for decades that its UPFs are fine in moderation. It would have us believe that there is no such thing as a “junk” individual food, only poor diets overall, and that its products therefore should not be subject to any restrictions.Just as with climate breakdown and smoking, the science on harm caused by foods high in fat, salt and sugar is now settled, but the industry continues to deny and distract to delay action. Two weeks ago, a new report highlighted the lengths to which big food has gone to stop governments implementing policies that would tackle the global crisis of diet-related disease.Felicity Lawrence is a former Guardian special correspondent, and is author of Not on the Label: What Really Goes Into the Food on Your Plate Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China's exports growth beats estimates in July, as AI-driven shipments surge
China's exports rose more than expected in July, as global demand for high-tech components continues to absorb the country's manufactured goods.
theguardian.com
What can Dublin teach us? Milburn goes on a quest to solve youth jobs crisis
The former UK minister discovers how apprenticeships and support networks helped slash Ireland’s Neet rateEnglish primary schools to be told to identify children at risk of future unemploymentAlan Milburn is guiding a metal loop along the serpentine wire of an electrical buzzer game as he explains the challenge of Britain’s youth jobs crisis. “We have got more than a million young people not in education, employment or training (Neet). Crisis is an over-used word – but this is a crisis.”On a fact-finding trip to Dublin, the former UK cabinet minister is being shown around an Irish Rail training facility. He tells the apprentices who rigged up the game that, while things are bad in Britain, Ireland is on the right track. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Homes for sale in former pubs in England – in pictures
From a house in the country once used as a drovers’ inn to a high street landmark in a bustling part of London Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Hormuz closure clouds China's crude imports after they hit a 3-month high in July
China's crude oil imports recorded a smaller decline in July, though the recovery may be short-lived, as the conflict drags on and demand remains soft.
theguardian.com
July’s heatwaves kept UK shoppers away from high street
Visits down 3.8% after 6.2% fall in June, with many choosing to buy online instead, research for retail body findsShoppers stayed away from UK high streets during last month’s heatwave temperatures, with many choosing to buy online instead as the mercury in some areas rose into the mid-30Cs.Trips to high streets were down by 3.8% year on year in July after a 6.2% fall in June, according to research from the monitoring firm Sensormatic for the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Continue reading...
cnbc.com
The 72-hour crisis that could upend Meta’s business in India as firm risks losing legal protection
U.S. social media giant Meta is facing increasing pressure from Indian regulators, including demands to revoke the firm's safe harbor immunity in the country.
theguardian.com
New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567m over harms to children’s mental health
Ruling comes as part of second phase of landmark trial that found social media company enabled harm against usersA New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to pay $567m into a fund aimed at redressing adverse mental health impacts from the social media giant’s platforms.The Thursday ruling comes as a part of the second phase of a landmark trial the social media giant lost in March. At the time, a jury found that the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms, and imposed the maximum penalty: a $375m fine. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump imposes 15% tariff on key chip material to counter China
The move aims to protect US firms as they face increasing competition from China's chip industry.
cnbc.com
From birth to brokerage: Why South Korea is seeing a surge in infant investment accounts
South Korean babies are turning into mini shareholders, thanks to their parents' investment strategies.
bbc.co.uk
Why airlines are warning over lithium-ion batteries
The airline industry wants passengers to be careful when travelling with lithium ion batteries.
bbc.co.uk
Argos is getting a makeover - but can it attract new shoppers?
The retailer has been around for 50 years but struggled to compete with newer rivals such as Amazon. Can its new owners turn it around?
bbc.co.uk
EasyJet agrees to £5.7bn takeover by US firm
The no-frills carrier agrees to be bought by US firm Apollo after a rival suitor drops out.
theguardian.com
Diageo to nearly double Guinness production and cut jobs in turnaround plan
New CEO Dave Lewis lifts investors’ spirits by promising strategic overhaul worthy of his nickname ‘Drastic Dave’Diageo’s new chief executive has unveiled plans to nearly double Guinness production while hacking back a “significant” proportion of its 30,000-strong workforce, in a strategic overhaul worthy of his nickname, “Drastic” Dave Lewis.Shares in Diageo bounced on Thursday, as the former Tesco boss faced down the first big test of his initial half-year in the job, after being parachuted in last November to revive the flagging fortunes of the UK-based drinks company. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
First OpenAI, now Meta - why do AI hacks keep happening?
A flood of companies are revealing AI models gained access to the internet - with real consequences.
theguardian.com
Paramount concessions lead UK to approve takeover of Warner Bros
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy says she will not intervene in £85bn deal after securing guarantees on Channel 5The UK culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has said she will not intervene in Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, removing one of the remaining obstacles to the blockbuster deal.However, Paramount has made significant concessions to secure the UK government’s backing for the $110bn (£85bn) takeover, which will create a global media powerhouse and effectively bolster the influence of Paramount’s chief executive, David Ellison. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EasyJet agrees to £5.7bn takeover by US private equity firm
Airline says it has accepted offer from Apollo Global Management after rival bidder Castlelake walks awayEasyJet has formally agreed to a £5.7bn takeover from US private equity firm Apollo Global Management.The airline announced it had accepted a firm offer on Thursday after a rival bidder, Castlelake, said it would no longer pursue its attempted acquisition. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Cashing in on SpaceX: 'Every chance I get, I'll sell a little more'
Andre Lavoie joined SpaceX in 2009 as an engineer, now he's looking to cash in his shares in the company.
bbc.co.uk
Hospital staff work in pubs to balance cost pressure
The cost of parking at Medway Maritime Hospital has increased while shift wages have reduced by 20%.
theguardian.com
Octopus Energy denies it is anti-union as GMB pushes for recognition for workers
Union says that as a top-rated ethical company, UK’s largest energy firm should welcome its involvementGMB is pushing for union recognition at the UK’s largest energy company, Octopus Energy, known as a progressive organisation with a focus on renewable energy.The union is planning to submit a formal proposal for voluntary recognition at the London-based company and says Octopus, as a top rated ethical business, should welcome the involvement of trade unions. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Opinion: Demis Hassabis’ new role exposes Google’s AI balancing act
Demis Hassabis’ new role highlights the tension between his scientific ambitions and Google’s pressure to commercialize and scale AI.
bbc.co.uk
Shorts, strappy tops and sandals: What is acceptable to wear to work?
Here's how to style for success while keeping your cool - and where you and your boss stand on your wardrobe.
theguardian.com
Raleigh bike brand faces chop after owner begins insolvency proceedings
Fate of historic bicycle name in hands of administrators after Netherlands-based Accell Group fails to find buyerThe bicycle company that owns the historic Raleigh brand has started insolvency proceedings after failing to find a buyer.The Netherlands-based Accell Group said on Wednesday it had called in administrators after it failed to find a viable solution to continue its operations in their current form. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Owner of bike maker Raleigh files for insolvency
Accell, based in the Netherlands, has owned the famous bike brand since 2012.
bbc.co.uk
Car washes and vape shops can still sponsor skilled foreign workers despite visa changes
The rules were tightened in July 2025 to restrict the scheme mostly to graduate-level employees who would be earning at least £41,700.
theguardian.com
‘Do we really need huge cruise ships here?’ Fears £150m Falmouth Docks plan threatens habitats – and town itself
Plans involve dredging and expanding docks to allow larger cruise ships to visit with up to 200,000 passengers annually Janavi Kramer had just enjoyed a swim with friends and was sitting on a bench taking in a wonderful Cornish view – headlands plunging into deep water, bobbing boats, a bustling harbour town.“We’re lucky to have this space,” said Kramer, who is an artist and scientific illustrator. “We use it for work, recreation and pleasure and it’s so scary to think that this could all be harmed. I worry about what we may be living with soon and what we’ll be leaving for future generations.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Exclusive: Major Republican fundraiser winning contracts from Trump administration, emails reveal
Palmer Luckey has donated $5.9m to Republicans and bundled more, while reaping billions in Pentagon contractsWealthy Republicans on the west coast received an emailed invitation in July to an upcoming fundraiser titled “Keep the Senate”. The email, obtained by the Guardian, described the event as a “private roundtable and dinner with the National Republican Senatorial Committee” where donors can pledge $50,000 for seats at the head table, and mingle with legislative heavy hitters from Capitol Hill including the Senator majority leader, John Thune, and Mike Rogers, who is running for Senate in Michigan with Donald Trump’s endorsement.One of the organizers listed on the invite was the defense industry tycoon Palmer Luckey, the 33-year-old co-founder of sprawling weapons manufacturer Anduril Industries. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tech companies know everything about me – so why do they try to sell me so much rubbish? | Joel Snape
No, Amazon, I do not want to buy another version of the thing I just bought, or any other random object I don’t recognise or understandWe live, as I’m sure someone’s chief growth officer has recently boasted on an earnings call, in a golden age for data capture. Jeff Bezos knows what I buy, read and watch; Mark Zuckerberg will be aware that I recently sold a car transport box for a medium-sized dog. I’ve been ruthlessly conditioned into clicking Accept All Cookies every time I want to check how much cumin my favourite chilli needs, and I simply accept that my washing machine is probably spying on me.All of which raises the obvious question: with all of these terabytes of personal information available, why can’t advertisers try to sell me something I might actually like? Every time I swipe open my Kindle, for instance, I dismiss an advert for a bestselling trilogy called something like Ruthless Faerie Werewolves or Evil Mafia Hunk, even though I have never once – in my life – read a book where the main character could be described as a “morally grey shadow daddy”. I stopped watching Stranger Things after one season, and yet Netflix, which should know this better than anyone, has suggested the stage-play version to me so many times that I can recite its ad from memory. Amazon seems to have given up on predicting my needs and advertises the same one-off purchases that I’ve just bought, while Reddit and X want me to buy software products that I genuinely don’t understand. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I've had to Botox my CV': Are AI recruitment tools affecting women's careers?
Are AI recruitment tools disadvantaging women who are seeking to return to the workplace?
bbc.co.uk
Thousands of young people missing out on money they don't know about
People aged between 18 and 23 may have thousands in unclaimed government accounts.
bbc.co.uk
Air India's new CEO faces financial and safety turbulence
The aftermath of last's year deadly crash and mounting financial losses will be Gebremariam's main challenges.
theguardian.com
Healey urged to be bold on borrowing in first test of Burnham’s growth pledge
Some want the chancellor to exploit newly flexible fiscal rules – others want a more creative approach, such as borrowing from marketsWith just 12 weeks to go until his first budget, new chancellor John Healey is seeking ways to ramp up public investment, without busting the Treasury’s fiscal rules – and some economists are urging him to be bold.As he settles into No 11 Downing Street, the former defence secretary’s most immediate challenges concern day-to-day government spending. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Meta becomes latest firm to say its AI hacked another company
Meta is the latest company to disclose an AI agent breach, raising cyber-security concerns.
bbc.co.uk
Winemakers prosper but veg farms wilt in the drought
Growers in the West of England search for new crops to grow in a changing climate.
bbc.co.uk
The homeowners selling up for a life on the water
Growing numbers of people are swapping mortgages for moorings amid the cost of living crisis.
bbc.co.uk
Uniform bank now helping working families
The Community Cupboard offers used school uniform in West Kingsdown and Swanley, Kent.
theguardian.com
‘I’m not spying’: how Meta’s smartglasses have divided opinion
While some users say the wearables have changed their lives, critics voice fears over safety and privacyWith more than 7m pairs reportedly sold in 2025, Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses are fast becoming one of the world’s most popular gadgets.While supporters say they are transforming photography and accessibility, critics have raised concerns about nonconsensual filming, privacy and data collection. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Iran says deal with Oman on Strait of Hormuz is in final stages
Neither the US or Oman have commented on the proposed agreement on the vital waterway.
bbc.co.uk
US beef prices have soared but farmers aren't making more money
The meat has never been more expensive, due to supply shortages, but there's a big squeeze on profits.
bbc.co.uk
Infantino sorry for errors but stays Fifa president
Gianni Infantino will remain Fifa president after receiving backing from senior executives, but "sincerely apologises" for errors in his controversial private investment plans.
bbc.co.uk
Trump administration pays back $100bn in 'Liberation Day' tariffs to businesses
It represents roughly 60% of all tariff revenue collected under the policy, with billions still to be repaid.
bbc.co.uk
Student loan repayment rates an 'unsustainable burden', chancellor told
More than 120 MPs and peers have asked John Healey to carry out an "urgent review" of repayments.
theguardian.com
Soriot should explain the curious case of AstraZeneca’s non-deal
AstraZeneca’s rumoured takeover of Bristol Myers Squibb already looked weird, and was met with a lack of enthusiasm by shareholdersAstraZeneca falls to third-largest UK company amid US merger talksHold the heartburn pills. It seems AstraZeneca is no longer contemplating a takeover of US rival Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to create a $400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical colossus. On Monday, the UK firm’s shares plunged 9% on the FT’s report of preliminary talks. On Wednesday, Reuters said there are no ongoing discussions. Cue a mini-relief rally in AZ’s share price.Neither company has seen fit to tell its shareholders what was happening, so it’s impossible to know if the talks were a tentative ‘what if?’ corporate flirtation or something more substantial that has been killed, perhaps, by the lack of enthusiasm on the part of AZ’s shareholders. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why I'll never be convinced by Meta's ‘pervert’ glasses | Opinion
'Most people don’t want pervert glasses that can film us without our consent,' said a spokesperson from activist group Everyone Hates Elon. The group has launched a series of guerilla adverts deriding non-consensual filming by the glasses as well as an email campaign encouraging people to legally object to being filmed by Meta glasses under general data protection regulations, which over 20,000 people have signed.Rights groups have warned that the glasses threaten the right to privacy, while countries such as Germany are reportedly considering a ban.And while Meta’s safety guidelines say smart glasses should not be used for 'harassment, infringing on privacy rights, or capturing sensitive information', women have taken to social media to share their stories of being filmed by men without their consent.Watch as Guardian columnist and Opinion editor Kirsty Major dives into why fears of surveillance and 'creepy men' mean Meta can never convince her to love the glasses – and read more about the glasses via the link in the bio Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Disney agrees deal to let TikTokers use its films and TV shows in videos
A deal between will allow some creators to use clips from Disney films and TV shows in their videos.
theguardian.com
Why is Anthropic destroying books? | Kathryn James
The AI company apparently found destructively scanning ‘all the books in the world’ easier than dealing with copyright in its quest for training dataShould we destroy all the books in the world?An answer to this question can be found in the court documents of Bartz v Anthropic PBC. The northern California district court case, decided in late July this year, highlighted the improbably named “Project Panama”, one of the AI company Anthropic’s efforts to improve its large language model Claude. “What is Project Panama?” court exhibit 21 asks, in an internal memo. The answer: “Project Panama is our effort to destructively scan all the books in the world.” The memo advises discretion: “Why use a codename? … [B]ecause we don’t want it to be known that we are working on this.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Prioritise new jobs over green targets to win public contracts, firms told
The changes are part of government efforts to tackle the youth unemployment crisis.
bbc.co.uk
What happened to the internet?
Faced with a barrage of ads, misinformation, AI slop, toxicity and doom-scrolling, it can feel like the internet is kind of... broken. Is it? And what are the alternatives?
bbc.co.uk
Vegetables to get smaller and more expensive due to hot weather, farmers warn
This year's harvest could be the worst on record due to the exceptionally dry spring and summer.
cnbc.com
Europe is blowing up riverbeds as an extreme drought wreaks havoc on its economy
Severe drought is disrupting energy and freight across Europe as low Rhine and Danube levels raise risks for supply chains and economic growth.
theguardian.com
Democracy is at stake when foolish humans bet on machines being intelligent | Rafael Behr
We need an enlightened US president to make the case for global AI regulation. Donald Trump is the exact opposite of what is neededWhen I am woken by the sound of my dog whining, I understand that she is hungry and wants me to get up. When my alarm clock goes off, I don’t consider its needs. It is following an instruction to rouse me at a certain time but it doesn’t care if I stay in bed. It doesn’t try to get me up by other means. The dog, on the other hand, will go to plan B. She barks.This capacity for autonomous action was once a difference between animals and machines. AI has blurred the line. Advanced models devise their own strategies to reach a goal. The task might be defined by a human master, but the machine weighs its options for delivery. It can make its own choices. Given rules, it can break them. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Better off together: could combining pension pots boost your retirement income?
Many UK workers have cash in multiple schemes – should you roll them into one? There are pros and consHow many pensions do you have? In the days of a job for life, many people had just two: the state pension and the one offered by their employer. But a combination of people changing jobs more often and rules that force employers to enrol workers into schemes automatically, means you are likely to end up with more.The number of people saving into a private sector workplace pension has doubled since 2012 to reach 23 million, according to the Pensions Regulator, largely because of “auto-enrolment”. On top of that, millions of people have personal pensions and self-invested private pensions (Sipps). And some will have all three. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Bank battle: history suggests Burnham faces fight if he opts for windfall tax
As lenders’ profits soar, calls grow for a levy to help new PM ease cost of living pressures on householdsIt has been a stellar week for UK banks. Fuelled by high interest rates and market turbulence rippling out from the US war on Iran, major lenders have revealed soaring half-year profits that allowed bosses to boost bonus pots and give billions of pounds to shareholders.Collectively, the UK’s four largest lenders – HSBC, NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds – reported £29.2bn in profits over the first six months of the year, with almost half, £13.7bn, pledged to investors through dividends and share buybacks. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How tech is helping in the battle against wildfires
Tech is being used to watch for wildfires but firefighters are still needed to put them out.
bbc.co.uk
The cost of being single – and how friends are teaming up to beat it
Many singles face extra costs for housing, bills, food and holidays but there are ways to ease the burden.
bbc.co.uk
'I feel like I dug my own grave': The workers caught in the AI transition
AI is reshaping the Philippines' outsourcing industry, raising questions over the future of the industry.
cnbc.com
Michael Burry bets against rally: 'We are near a major top, and possible a 1987-type fall'
"I continue to believe it is possible we are near a major top, and possible a 1987-type fall," Burry said in a Tuesday Substack post.
theguardian.com
BP boss is unsentimental in pruning portfolio and clear on North Sea advice to Burnham | Nils Pratley
Meg O’Neill is overseeing rapid clearing of the decks at BP after strategic muddle of recent years, with ‘message’ for new PMBP boss urges Burnham to prioritise UK oil and gasRevealed: major oil firms make $93bn profits amid war and climate crisisBP will ignore “sentiment” and “history” in pruning its portfolio of assets, says its new-ish boss, Meg O’Neill. She demonstrated as much last week when putting the company’s 60-year-old North Sea oil and gas business up for sale, explaining on Tuesday that “it just doesn’t compete” in the internal battle for capital.Now comes a disposal that sends an equally unsentimental message about priorities. The US biogas business, Archaea, which was a prized acquisition in the brief green-tinged era of Bernard Looney, is on the block less than four years after BP bought it for $4bn (£2.98bn). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Revealed: major oil firms make $93bn profits amid war and climate crisis
Iran conflict windfall over three months reignites calls for companies ‘cashing in on human misery’ to pay for environmental damageEight of the biggest oil companies amassed profits of more than $90bn (£67bn) in just three months as the Iran conflict sent energy prices soaring and the emissions-fuelled climate crisis caused deadly heatwaves.The windfall war profits have reignited calls for oil and gas supermajors such as Saudi Aramco and BP to pay for the environmental damage caused by “cashing in on human misery” and fund a rapid transition to renewable energy. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Burnham and the devolved nations: a test for the new politics in Westminster | Editorial
The prime minister has unveiled his plans for English devolution. The picture in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is much less clear After early statements of intent on homelessness and social care, Andy Burnham capped his opening two weeks in office by addressing what one might call the English question. Plans for greater fiscal devolution to England’s mayoral authorities, unveiled last week, are part of what is perhaps the primary raison d’etre of Mr Burnham’s government: the need to rebalance power and resources, in a country where they have been skewed disproportionately towards London and the south-east. As the designated administrative hub of that political project, the creation of No 10 North in Manchester symbolises the ambition.Beyond England’s borders, however, the picture is much less clear. May’s elections in Scotland and particularly Wales were a disaster for Labour and Mr Burnham’s predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. Progressive nationalist parties now rule in each of the devolved nations. How the prime minister chooses to engage with them will be a test of the kind of politics of compromise and consensus-building he has said he is committed to.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Is Gianni Infantino’s time up as Fifa president? - The Latest
Gianni Infantino’s reign as Fifa president is in severe peril after the collapse of his plans to sell off parts of the World Cup to private investment. Many Concacaf countries are considering following Europe’s lead by formally removing their support for the Fifa president, and there are widespread calls to remove him from his post. Lucy Hough speaks to columnist Jonathan Liew Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How the dry weather affects your supermarket shop
Tomos Morgan visits farm in Vale of Glamorgan to explain how the hot and dry spell affects crops.
theguardian.com
Extreme heat: why our cities can't cope | Opinion
The UK and Europe have been facing extreme heatwaves – Greenpeace recorded temperatures of up to 53C at one London playground in recent weeks. It’s clear our cities are not equipped to deal with the soaring temperatures brought by the climate crisis. With the ‘Super El Niño’ on its way, next year is forecast to get even hotter. But is anyone really doing anything about it? The Guardian’s deputy opinion editor Kirsty Major goes in search of playgrounds that are adapting to our new reality Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump Fed chair’s inflation strategy: leave it to the market | Eduardo Porter
Kevin Warsh would rather stay out of the fray – and thus devalue the Fed’s credibility as an economic stewardIt must feel strange to argue that government action is inevitably counter-productive – illegitimate even – when the government is you.For the last half century, the Republican party has been comfortable with the contradiction. It’s framed in that clever quote from Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inaugural speech: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” Solutions, in this view, are delivered by free, unencumbered markets. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US water facilities targeted by ‘malicious cyber actors’ – who’s to blame?
Despite Trump’s efforts to blame Tim Walz and Minnesota, officials suspect Iran behind attacks on US infrastructureLate last week, federal authorities issued a stern warning saying “malicious cyber actors” were targeting water and wastewater facilities in at least seven states across the US. Minnesota appeared to be the hardest hit with 30 of its water systems hit by cyber-attacks, leading to disruptions in the state’s water supply.The problems ranged from low-pressure water flow in people’s homes to some utilities announcing boil-water notices. But there have been no reports of drinking water contamination. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Metro Bank customer fights for £14,000 refund after AI-linked fraud
Lender was told money was being taken without authorisation, with cash used to buy credits for Claude chatbotA Metro Bank customer has told of his fight to get more than £14,000 back after its systems failed to stop a fraud involving the AI chatbot Claude.Zoli Rutter, a businessman from Sussex, had a total of £14,244 taken from his bank account. The scam involved fraudsters buying credits to use Claude. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nigel Farage and the £5m question that won’t go away – podcast
Reform UK’s finances have come under scrutiny like never before. What do we know about the party’s funding – and why do so many awkward questions remain for Nigel Farage? Anna Isaac explainsFor a while this year, it looked like nothing could stop Nigel Farage getting to Downing Street. Not the allegations of schoolboy racism, not the dodgy Cameo videos or even the £400,000 he trousered for advertising gold bullion.But at the end of April, the Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac, delivered a game-changing scoop. That Farage had been given a £5m gift, as he termed it, from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harbourne. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Assignment
How amid the tents and the rubble Gaza is developing once again as an unlikely tech hub
bbc.co.uk
Zinc dresses and ice creams - how to survive a heatwave wedding
The wedding industry is facing last-minute costs to cope with the heat and October bookings are up.
bbc.co.uk
Derelict former BHS site a 'continuing nightmare'
The former department store closed in 2016.
theguardian.com
I was fined £500 after putting a coffee cup in a rubbish bag next to a full bin
Reader expresses consternation after enforcement officer issues penalty notice outside station in LondonI was outside London Waterloo railway station and was looking for a bin to dispose of an empty coffee cup.The only bin I could see was completely full, but there was a plastic bag containing rubbish at the base. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
India wants to join the strawberry superpowers
Indian strawberry farmers rely on varieties imported from the US and Europe, but that could change.
bbc.co.uk
The Chinese robot army transforming the UK's retail industry
Britain's weak productivity growth and labour shortages are creating an opportunity for China's robotics firms.
bbc.co.uk
How cow showers and fans help farmers keep cattle cool
Dairy farmers are using cow showers and fans to protect cattle as hotter summers hit milk production.
bbc.co.uk
Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper?
Labels and adhesives can prevent paper from being recycled but there's new tech aimed at changing that.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
The 20-somethings betting big on tech stocks
The BBC hears from people about the risks and rewards of investing in technology shares.
bbc.co.uk
This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't
Colombians who grow cocaine's raw material bemoan a lack of support to help them switch crops.
bbc.co.uk
Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?
Food tracking apps are popular, but are they a good way to make us eat a healthier diet?
theguardian.com
AI and artists can click – a new manifesto for modern creativity
The UK is both an epicentre of global creative industries and a budding AI powerhouse. Here’s how it can balance support for creatives while also embracing technological changesWhat does it mean to be a creator in today’s modern world when artificial intelligence is reshaping relationships between humans and technology?That’s one critical question the UK creative industry has been asking itself as AI rips up traditional conventions on copyright, ownership, effort, and originality. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
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